The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences recently came under fire after it only nominated white actors and actresses in its prestigious awards categories for the second year in a row. Actors David Oyelowo and Idris Elba have spoken out regarding the controversy, which has seen Jada Pinkett Smith and director Spike Lee call for a boycott of the annual prestigious awards show.
Oyelowo was at the King Legacy Awards the Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Los Angeles presenting Academy president, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, an award named after civil rights icon Rosa Parks. The star of "Selma" said, while delivering his prepared remarks, that the Academy has a "problem" that "needs to be solved."
"For 20 opportunities to celebrate actors of color, actresses of color, to be missed last year is one thing; for that to happen again this year is unforgivable," he said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Meanwhile, "Luther" star Elba spoke with the U.K. Parliament on Monday about the entertainment industry's "lack of diversity."
"We need to count up what everybody has, see the lay of the land, see who has which careers in TV, who makes TV, who's allowed on TV," he said before the British leaders, according to Us Weekly. "You have to ask the question, 'Are black people always playing petty criminals? Are women always the love interest or always talking about men? Are gay people always stereotyped? Are disabled people ever seen at all?'"
